From iMovie to Final Cut: What Are In and Out Points?

If you plan on switching from iMovie to Final Cut Pro for your
video editing needs, there will be a lot of things you will need to
learn in order to use the new program effectively. While iMovie allowed
you to simply cut out pieces of a video clip that you didn't want to
use, Final Cut Pro is a nonlinear, or nondestructive, editing program
that doesn't actually affect the media on your hard drive.

Therefore, creating 'In' and 'Out' points on your clips is done a
little differently in Final Cut Pro then you're probably used to with
iMovie. So, this simple guide will discuss how to create In and Out
points and some of the differences in the way the task is performed in
both programs.

What You Will Need

A computer with Final Cut Pro installed

A video file to edit

Step 1: Understand In and Out Points

In video editing, 'In' and 'Out' points are the places in a piece of
video footage that you select for digitization or editing. For example,
if you have a five minute piece of video that you recorded on your
camcorder, and only want to use a one minute section that is in the
middle of the clip, you'll need to create In and Out points in order to
separate that piece of video from the remaining footage.

The 'In' point is the beginning point of the video clip that you want
to use. On the other hand, the 'Out' point is the end of the clip that
you want to separate from the remainder of the footage. In short, the
'In' is the beginning, and conversely, 'Out' is the end. While using
iMovie, you probably created many In and Out points without even knowing
what they were called. You simply dragged pieces of a video and added
them to your timeline.

Step 2: Understand How iMovie Creates In and Out Points

In iMovie, you are required to copy the video file you'll be editing
into your project library. Whenever you import a piece of video into
iMovie, you are actually importing a copy of the file itself. Therefore,
whenever you make changes or add it to the video, you directly
manipulate the file.

With iMovie, you create In and Out points by simply using your mouse
to highlight a section of a clip and then dragging it into your event
browser. Once you save your video project, the sections that were not
dragged into your timeline are simply discarded from the project.

Step 3: Understand Why Final Cut Pro Is Better for Creating In
and Out Points

With Final Cut Pro, you create In and Out points by using the
transition slider and shuttle control to move to the section in the
video you want to extract. The shuttle control will allow you to move
frame by frame, forwards or backwards, to the point where you want to
begin your clip extraction. Once you have reached the starting point for
the clip, simply hit the "I" key on your keyboard. Then, go to the end
of the portion of video you want to use and hit the "O" key. Final Cut
Pro will then move the clip into your project viewer; however, it does
not make any changes to the clip or imported footage until you
specifically tell the program to do so. Even if you save the project, no
changes are made to the media on your hard drive.